Versailles News: Discipline – just do it!

Don’t let your emotions or inner dialogue sabotage productivity, creating paralysis or laziness. Probably most of us have at some point thought we’d rather take a beating than perform a dreaded task. However I suggest using the slogan “just do it.” Avoid procrastination by simply doing the thing you’re putting off. Find a song or a prayer that you can focus on and begin the activity you’re avoiding. In this way you are reprograming your body’s actions and moreover reactions.

Ignore your emotions and thoughts, giving no credence to your inner dialogue. Engage the will, not the mind. You don’t want to get up … just do it! You don’t want to make your bed, make it anyway. You don’t feel like taking a shower. Take your shower. Don’t be a slave to your feelings, for feelings are fickle. Even the feelings of tiredness and pain, brought on by old age, cannot dampen the spirit if we have disciplined the body to obey the will and the will to obey the spirit. You don’t need a more youthful body, you simply need greater discipline. The will must be disciplined then the flesh will follow. Once the flesh is subdued the spirit can be properly disposed to know what is best for us, then the spirit can lead the will.

We all seem to do the things that are necessary, such as work, pay bills, feed and care for our families and selves, as well as the things we enjoy, such as going out with friends, taking vacations, watching television or participating in sports. We need to ignore (disengage) the part of our brain that says “I’m tired. I don’t feel like it. It’s my turn to do what I want.”

Self-discipline creates focus, inner strength, perseverance, happiness, and liberation. Those who cannot control themselves become enslaved. An example of freedom through self-control would be breaking an addiction. An addict is a slave to their addiction and remains so until they are able to control their impulses. Once they have overcome their compulsion they discover genuine liberation. Just as conducting ourselves within the legal, personal and social boundaries affords us freedom; freedom from carnal desires leads us towards a richer spiritual life.

During this season of Lent many Christians perform acts of mortification (subduing one’s bodily desires). Some view Lenten penance similarly to making New Year’s resolutions, which focuses on improvement of self. However the Lenten penance goes beyond our mortal-self. Self-denial teaches humility and compassion by entering into the sufferings of others. It also gives us mastery over ourselves allowing us to charitably give of ourselves without hindrance as our focus sharpens on the eternal.

Small ways to strengthen one’s self-discipline, whether for spiritual or personal growth, may be to: 1) get up as soon as your alarm clock rings, avoiding the snooze button, or 2) wash the dishes immediately after eating instead of procrastinating, or 3) limiting yourself to a single cup of coffee or soft drink daily for one full week.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Tonight is a St. Patrick’s Celebration Karaoke Party held downstairs at the Vet’s Club. The event is open to the public with everyone encouraged to bring a shareable snack.

Sunday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. is the Trinity Lutheran Spaghetti Dinner.

Thursday, March 21 a Lenten Series held for four subsequent Thursdays in the St. Denis Church basement from 7-8:30 p.m. The program is on St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body teachings and is a free event.

Wednesday, March 20 the Oakley Place (1275 Northview Drive, Greenville) wishes to thank and honor our farmers with a home-cooked meal. Dinner begins at 5 p.m. A friend, spouse or fellow farmer is also invited. A free estate planning program will follow at 6 p.m. Seating is limited so please RSVP at 937-548-9521 today.

Saturday, March 23 Dr. John Wood, formerly of Versailles, will speak at the K of C Hall.

The VHS Spring Musical “Wizard of Oz” performance dates will be April, 4, 5 and 6; for tickets contact Lynda York at 937-526-5276.

From now until April 12 you can receive free tax preparation (without age or income restrictions) at Worch Library from the AARP Foundation by making an appointment calling 937-526-3416.

Kathy Magoto is a volunteer citizen columnist, who serves The Daily Advocate readers weekly with her Friday Versailles community column. She can be reached at magmon1@embarqmail.com or at 526-3798. Feel free to contact her with Versailles news and tidbits. Viewpoints expressed in the article are the work of the author. The Daily Advocate does not endorse these viewpoints or the independent activities of the author.

Kathy Magoto is a volunteer citizen columnist, who serves The Daily Advocate readers weekly with her Friday Versailles community column. She can be reached at magmon1@embarqmail.com or at 526-3798. Feel free to contact her with Versailles news and tidbits. Viewpoints expressed in the article are the work of the author. The Daily Advocate does not endorse these viewpoints or the independent activities of the author.